Page 175 of Riding the Sugar High

“Hey, I’m the vice-boss for a reason.”

“That’s a title you made up.”

“Yes, but isn’t it accurate?”

I guess it is. He’s been working like a donkey at the farm. “Sure. I’m still not calling you that.”

“Just get your ass back here. Big night tonight.”

I hang up, then exhale as I grip the steering wheel. “Yep. Big night tonight.”

* * *

Primrose

“Hello?” I call as I enter Desserts for Stressed People. They’re closed today, and seeing the bakery not bursting with customers is weird.

“In here!”

I follow Amelie’s voice to the back, my nose scrunching at a weird smell. I can’t identify it precisely, but it’s terrible. Are they having a sewage problem?

“Hi, Prim,” Heaven says with a tired voice. She’s nursing her newborn, Marty, and though she looks at peace, I can tell she’s exhausted. Especially next to Amelie, who’s always quite energetic.

“Sorry to bother?—”

“Please,” Amelie stops me. She hands me the documents beside her and squeezes my shoulder. Thank you so much for looking at these. The lawyer is out until next week, and we need to get the papers started.”

“Of course.” I’ve done all of this already when I launched Uncandy, and though it’s not exactly complicated, I remember feeling overwhelmed when I first started the application to open a business. “I’m sure you’ve done everything right anyway.”

“Hey,” Heaven says as her eyes narrow. “Isn’t it your anniversary today?”

I nod. I briefly mentioned it when we had dinner last week, but with everything she has going on, I’m surprised she remembered. “It is. Logan is taking me out for dinner. And apparently, he has a surprise for me.”

“Surprise?” Amelie’s eyes widen. “What surprise?”

When I give her a shrug, she scoffs.

“Come on. You must have at least a suspicion.”

I guess I do, but I’m a little afraid to voice my thoughts. If I admit it might be what I think, and then itisn’t, I’ll be devastated.

“Please, tell us,” Heaven whispers as she shifts Marty against her breast. I’m dying to talk about anything other than baby stuff.”

After a moment of hesitation, I smile. “Fine. Okay. I think...maybe, uh...maybe he’ll propose.”

“What?!” Amelie whisper-screams. “Propose?” She gasps, turning to Heaven. “Oh my god!”

Heaven smiles. “Amelie is quite fond of weddings.”

“No kidding. If he does propose, I’ll need help planning it, so...”

“I volunteer.”

I smile, and I’d normally stay and chat for longer than this, but this smell is giving me a headache. “Is everything okay with the bakery?”

“Uh, yes? Why?” Heaven asks in a doubtful voice.

“No, nothing. It’s just—” I point my finger around me. “The smell?”